Garcia Wilburn statement on House Bill 1002

Today, Jan. 18, Rep. Victoria Garcia Wilburn (D-Fishers) voted for House Bill 1002, a bill aimed at defining antisemitism and preventing it in K-12 and college classrooms, on its final passage out of the Indiana House of Representatives. She issued the following statement upon its passage:

“I am hopeful that House Bill 1002 is the first step in addressing hate in all of its forms. I know firsthand how delicate of a needle this is to thread.

“As I have met with countless of my constituents this summer, I cannot help but think of them: all walks of life, young, old, Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, Protestant, Evangelical. And why would I know their faith? Because my faith is important to me and when I encounter people for the first time, we often share the similarities of our faith, often sharing the same value of loving our neighbor as ourselves. This is a reason why when we do have differences, we are able to be respectful and kind nonetheless. 

“My son spent the first three years of his life at the Bureau of Jewish Education learning and singing and playing with his peers and surprising us in his small voice with the Jewish blessing before a meal. I have been an invited guest in my district mosques and was welcomed with kindness, most evidently the compassion they had for me and my faith. When I told leaders I had to leave a bit early to attend my church service, they rearranged the entire panel because they knew how important it was to me. 

“I recognize that in some people, hate permeates and fills their heart, and when they target and hate one of us, they almost always target and hate all of us. When hate is on the rise for one vulnerable group, it also rises for other vulnerable groups. As Jewish hate crimes have risen, Muslim, Black and Asian hate has risen, too. This is why I continue to urge the General Assembly to pursue legislation that would address all hate crimes. We have been called to this building to represent our constituents, and when one suffers, we all do. Let us, this legislative body, set an example of being our brothers' and sisters' keepers.”